Variable v-block and clamping device or assembly



Jan. 10, 1967 J. 5. BROWN 3,297,314

VARIABLE VBLOCK AND CLAMPING DEVICE OR ASSEMBLY Filed May 20, 1964 INVENTOR cfofin 5 Brown I anti fig"? 751M EM ATTORNEY5 United States Patent 3,297,314 VARIABLE V-BLOCK AND CLAMPING DEVICE 0R ASSEMBLY John S. Brown, Framingham, Mass., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed May 20, 1964, Ser. No. 369,044 1 Claim. (Cl. 269--243) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty. thereon.

The present invention relates to a variable V-block and clamping device or assembly adapted for use particularly, although not exclusively, by machinists.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the foregoing character which is capable of clampingly holding or supporting a workpiece, such as a shaft, rod, or the like, having diameters of different sizes, in such a way that the centerline common to the several diameters will be held securely in a horizontal plane during test or machine operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support, rest, or block constituting a device or assembly as above, which is of simple and sturdy construction and which has adjustable and interchangeable parts capable of quick and easy adjustment to adapt the single improved device for the accommodation of various workpieces having two or more different size diameters.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and appended claim when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of one form of variable V-block and clamping device or assembly embodying the invention and showing a workpiece in supported and clamped position therein;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but with the workpiece removed;

FIGURE 3 is a disassembled or exploded view of the device of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1, in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse vetrical section along the line 55 of FIGURE 4 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 66 of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 but taken substantially along the line 77 of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various Ways. It is to be understood also that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Referring now to the drawing, reference character 10 represents generally the variable V-block and clamping device in its entirety.

The V-block comprises a base 11 having an upstanding, integral V-shaped portion 12.

A cut-out portion 13 at the rear of base 11 is adapted to receive a removable V-plate 14 which is attached to base 11 by a cap screw 15.

Base 11 is further provided with a vertical smooth bore 16 which is located medially of base 11 and is counterbored as at 17 to form an elongated recess. Base 11 is bored as at 20 to form a transverse recess and this recess intersects bore 16 being normal thereto.

A clamp 18 is provided and has an eye 19 of a predetermined diameter therein. Clamp 18 has an elongated boss 21 and a threaded extension 22 A thumb nut 23 completes the components of the clamping device.

The V-shaped portion is of constant height and since the removable V plate 14 is replaceable, it may be made in different sizes to fit different diameters of workpieces. Also the clamp 18 may be made with eyes of dilferent diameters to fit varying sizes of workpieces.

When supporting a workpiece in the clamping device, a clamp having an eye of the desired diameter and a removable V-plate of the desired size are selected. The V-plate 14 is then screwed to base 11 by cap screw 15.

A workpiece A is mounted in clamp 18 by passing its smallest diameter through eye 19, The smallest diameter of workpiece A is rested on the V in removable plate 14 and its largest diameter on the V portion 12 of base 11. The extension 22 and elongated boss 21 are inserted in bores 16 and 17, the nut 23 being threaded on extension 22. The nut 23 is rotated to pull the clamp 18 down and tighten the workpiece A in the support.

The elongated boss 21 when inserted in the elongated recess 17 prevents clamp 18 from rotating when nut 23 is rotated on the threaded extension 22 to raise or lower clamp 18 in the base 11 for proper alignment to receive the workpiece.

Clamps which have oversize eyes may be provide with bushings to adapt it to workpieces having smaller diameters.

It is apparent from the foregoing that a novel and highly efiicient clamping device has been devised which is adaptable for use with workpieces having Varying diameters.

Variations and modifications may be eifected without departing from the scope of the novel concept of the present invention as set forth in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A variable V-block and clamping device for supporting and holding a workpiece having different diameters and a centerline common to all of the diameters, said device comprising, in combination, a base having an upstanding, integral V-shaped portion at one end thereof, there being a cut-out portion at its other end, said base being further provided with a vertical smooth bore therethrough and located medially thereof, an elongated counter bore at the upper portion of said vertical bore and a transversely disposed, elongated recess intersecting said vertical bore and normal thereto; a clamp received in said vertical and counter bores, said clamp including an eye of predetermined diameter; an elongated boss adjacent said eye and adpted to be received in said elongated counterbore; and an externally threaded extension depending from said boss and adapted to be received in said vertical bore, said extension having a length to intersect said recess; a thumb nut threaded on said extension and rotatable in said transverse recess; and a Vshaped plate detachably mounted in said cut-out portion in said base, said thumb nut raising 3 4- or lowering said clamp when rotated to secure and align 2,416,782 3/1947 Valish 9059.61 a work piece When threaded through said eye. 2,822,710 2/ 1958 Haiman 7762 3,125,904 3/1964 Olivieri L 77-62 OTHER REFERENCES Moore, H.: Slot Drill Jig Is Ideal for Short Run Pro 410,414 9/1889 Hall 90- duction, Amer. Machinist, Sept. 12, 1946, p. 143. 411,731 9/1889 Rogers 9059.62 1,119,470 12/ 1914 Swantusch 7762 HAROLD D. WHITEHEAD, Primary Examiner. 

